The online availability of large genomic datasets, annotations, and broad knowledge in biology is an essential source of information that has made a huge contribution to the rapid expansion of this field. To remain relevant for today’s research, these resources need to be maintained and constantly updated with new biological information. Despite their fundamental role in the discovery pipeline, however, support for key genomic databases is in jeopardy.

Jérôme Waldispühl (McGill University) and Olivier Tremblay-Savard (University of Manitoba) are taking genomic databases to social media, by developing a web and mobile crowdsourcing platform for curating, maintaining and updating genomic databases. The system will be tailored to high school and university students and instructors. The completion of this project will demonstrate the broad impact of crowdsourcing on solving critical technical and financial challenges faced for maintaining key biological research resources.